Need input from an FWC officer please...

Federal season for amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida opens for most of the month of January 2018. Florida law states that amberjack can not be taken in state waters until later in 2018.

If I catch an Amberjack in Federal water off of the Florida coast, can I legally return to the dock with my Amberjack, assuming that I did not stop and fish anywhere in state waters on the ride back to the dock?

I expect this is printed in a law book some place, but I haven't been able to find it. I want to educate myself and stay legal.

Thanks!

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Replies

I'm not FWC - the theory is that you leave port and head to federal waters - without stopping in state waters and return without stopping in state waters and you are fine. You've got your GPS track if it comes down to that. I doubt you will have any issues as AJs are rarely if ever caught in state waters.

I do not know where you are fishing- they are a complete PIA in state waters in upper gulf (northwest) - they are everywhere in herds - only second to the feral pig golith groupers- endangered yeah right-

The more important question is this - why do you want to bring a worm hotel back to the dock!! The few AJs I've bothered to clean were always riddled with worms. I once caught about 40 big ones in one morning and when I got to the fish house they wanted to pay me 30 cents/lb. I never tried for them again. I will not be sad if I never catch another one.

The more important question is this - why do you want to bring a worm hotel back to the dock!! The few AJs I've bothered to clean were always riddled with worms. I once caught about 40 big ones in one morning and when I got to the fish house they wanted to pay me 30 cents/lb. I never tried for them again. I will not be sad if I never catch another one.

I do not know where you are fishing- they are a complete PIA in state waters in upper gulf (northwest) - they are everywhere in herds - only second to the feral pig golith groupers- endangered yeah right-

Sorry - I've not fished up there, just west Coast, East Coast, and the Keys - Maybe some areas around miami may also have them in state waters - most other places it is a 15+ mile run to catch 'em. I stand corrected. They are my favorite fish to catch & eat - east coats is a 30 mile run and most are in the 30-40# bracket, some worms but not too bad...

They are not going to put into print that it is okay to take in Fed water as long as you don't stop in state water, that is not something that they would put into print, you just have to understand the law and their jurisdictions.